1.

Identify the GMDSS Operational Area

GMDSS Sea Geographical Radio and Automatic and

Area sattelite and radio Sattelite portable radio
communication communicatio equipment
coverage n equipment
Within continuous VHF (Very VHF radio – DSC and RT 406
A1 High Frequency) DSC (Digital MHz EPIRB (Emergency
Selective Calling) coverage NAVTEX receiver - Position Indicating
from a CRS with follow on Automatic reception Radio Beacon)
VHF RT (Radio Telephony) of MSI (Maritime Safety
Information) SART (Search And
(about 20 - 30 NM from the Rescue Radar
coast) Transponder)

VHF handheld radio

A2 Outside Sea Area A1 MF radio – DSC and RT 406 MHz EPIRB

Within continuous MF (Medium Plus SART

Frequency) DSC coverage from
a CRS with follow on MF RT The equipment VHF handheld radio
included for Sea Area
(about 100 NM from the coast) A1
Outside Sea Areas A1 & A2 HF (High Frequency) 406 MHz EPIRB
A3 radio – DSC
Within INMARSAT (Internationa SART
l Maritime Satellite Or
Organisation) coverage, that is VHF handheld radio
between 700 North and INMARSAT – Satellite
70  South
0
Communication

Plus

System for reception

of MSI in Sea Area A3
(EGC or Radio Telex)

Plus

The equipment
included for Sea Areas
A1 & A2

A4 Outside Sea Areas A1, A2 & A3 HF radio – DSC 406 MHz EPIRB

Above 700 N and below 700 S Plus SART

The equipment VHF handheld radio

included for Sea Areas
A1 & A2

https://www.egmdss.com/gmdss-courses/mod/page/view.php?id=47

2. Explain how AIS works

AIS works by taking your position and movements via the vessels’ GPS system or an internal sensor built into
an AIS unit. That information is then collated along with programmable information from the AIS unit (e.g.
Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number, vessel name, destination, cargo type) and is transmitted in
the background at regular intervals whilst also receiving other vessels AIS information.
AIS information provides an overview of every large and potential hazard transmitting via AIS relative to your
own vessels’ position. This will be displayed either on a chart plotter showing the positions of the other vessels
or on a radar display. Depending on the type of chart plotter or display you are using, you can have the option to
select the other vessels information to view their MMSI number and call them directly through the VHF radio.
https://icomuk.co.uk/What-is-AIS-and-How-Does-It-Work/3995/165/

3. Explain the purpose and method of operation of SART

The main purpose of the SART is to allow rescue vessels or aircraft equipped with X-band radar (common
marine navigational radar,) to home in on the exact position of the SART by enhancing the radar return so that
it is clearly visible on the radar of any vessel including search and rescue vessels.

A SART operates in the 9 GHz (3 cm or ‘X-band’) radar frequency band and, on receiving a signal from a ship
or aircraft radar, transmits a series of response (homing) signals. The SART can be activated manually or
automatically (in some cases) so that it will thereafter respond when interrogated. Marine navigation radar
simply transmits very short radio waves from its antenna and using the time required for a reflection to return
and the direction of the radar antenna at that moment, it can determine the range and bearing of the object that
caused the reflection and display that information on the radar screen.

When a Search and Rescue Transponder is turned on, it goes into what is known as the “Standby Mode.” This
means that the SART is operational and waiting to be interrogated by a radar. When it detects a radar pulse, it
automatically switches into the “Active Mode” where it generates an amplified signal and transmits (12) pulses
back to the interrogating radar. These response signals will be seen on the ship or aircraft radar screen as a line
of 12 dots (0.64 n miles apart) extending approximately 8 n miles outward from the SART’s position along its
line of bearing. This unique radar signal is easily recognized and allows the rescue vessel or aircraft to locate
the survival craft. As the SART becomes closer, another 12 dots are produced, also 0.64 n miles apart

Radar screen from a SART on a distance of more than 5 miles.

At distances greater than (1) NM, the radar screen will display the SART transmissions in the familiar (12) dot
configuration. If the rescue vessel approaches the SART, the twelve dots will become short arcs. These arcs
increase in size if the vessel gets closer. If the rescue vessel is very close, the SART will be activated
permanently by the side lobes of the radar antenna. The signal of the SART will then be visible as twelve
complete circles on the radar screen. This will tell the search-and-rescue team that they have more or less
arrived.
https://www.offshoreblue.com/safety/sart.php
http://www.telecomabc.com/s/sart.html#:~:text=A%20Search%20and%20Rescue%20Transponder,in
%20distress%20or%20a%20liferaft.

4. State other GMDSS equipment and explain briefly its function.

sabi sa instruction "other GMDSS equipment" so meaning ata neto, magbigay ng iba pang GMDSS equipment
na hindi inexample sa module

Eto yung mga na-example na sa module:

EPIRB
NAVTEX
AIS
SARTS
(so ibig sabihin, hindi na natin kelangan isama sa sagot naten to)

Eto yung mga hindi pa naeexample: (means ito yung mga sagot for #4)
INMARSAT
It provides telex, telephone and data transfer services between ship-to-ship, ship to shore, and shore to ship
along with a priority telex and telephone service connected to shore rescue centres. It provides communications
services to a range of governments, aid agencies, media outlets and businesses (especially in the shipping,
airline and mining industries) with a need to communicate in remote regions or where there is no reliable
terrestrial network.
AIS
It allows to communicate automatically, dynamically and regularly update their position, speed, course and
information such as vessel identity that can be displayed on ECDIS. AIS is intended to assist a vessel's watch
standing officers and allow maritime authorities to track and monitor vessel movements. AIS integrates a
standardized VHF transceiver with a positioning system such as a Global Positioning System receiver, with
other electronic navigation sensors, such as a gyrocompass or rate of turn indicator.

Marine VHF Radios (non-portable)

The fixed or the non-portable Marine VHF Radios cover a lot of aerial ground, their source of power
transmission and energy, huger in comparison to their portable counterparts and are therefore far more feasible
in terms of their operational facilities.
The most important function of a Marine VHF Radio is that it is very helpful when it comes to sending distress
signals across the channels to coast guards and other ships and boats in the periphery. Also, certain Marine VHF
Radios can be used for the purposes of making calls through a marine operator for a certain sum making it
double up as a telephonic communicator too.

Portable two way Survival craft VHF Radiotelephone

It is used for communications between survival craft and rescue vessels. It may also be used for onboard
communications on channels 15 and 17. The equipment typically comprises a small hand-held transceiver with
integral antenna. The equipment is operated in the same fashion as any hand held (or ‘walkie-talkie’) type unit.
Controls are provided for volume, squelch and channel operation. Transmission – reception is controlled by a
‘push-to- talk’ switch located on the side of the unit.

MF/HF Radiotelephone
To communicate at longer ranges, you will normally need a satellite telephone or an MF/HF marine
radiotelephone. Marine radiotelephone equipment normally operates between 2 - 26 MHz using single sideband
emissions. MF/HF marine radiotelephones can also be used to receive high seas weather broadcasts, and by
using a computer and a special interface provided by some coast stations, can provide Internet email. All ships
trading in Sea area A4 must carry HF DSC and NDBP equipment which can also operate from the ships reserve
energy supply.

Digital Selective Calling (DSC)

This is a calling service between ship to ship, ship to shore or vice versa for safety and distress information
mainly on high or medium frequency and VHF maritime radio. It was introduced on MF, HF and VHF maritime
radios as part of the GMDSS system. DSC distress alerts, which consist of a preformatted distress message, are
used to initiate emergency communications with ships and rescue coordination centers. DSC was intended to
eliminate the need for persons on a ship's bridge or on shore to continuously guard radio receivers on voice
radio channels, including VHF channel 16 (156.8 MHz) and 2182 kHz now used for distress, safety and calling.
Sea area A1. An area within the radiotelephone coverage of at least one VHF coast station in which continuous
DSC alerting is available as defined by the International Maritime Organization.
Sea Area A2. An area, excluding sea area A1, within the radiotelephone coverage of at least one MF coast
station in which continuous DSC alerting is available as defined by the International Maritime Organization.